I Noticed a Bald Spot at Age 51

I am a 57 year old male. At age 51 I noticed a small spot in the crown. Over the years it has gotten bigger. I went to a local Hair Transplant doctor. He told me it wasn’t that bad and to apply minoxidil to the spot. He didn’t recommend a transplant. He said he could do it but would I be willing to chase the balding if it continued. I decided to just leave things alone and cover the spot. My question is at 57, how bad is the hair loss expected to get? When would a transplant be recommended? I never expected this. I thought if I got through my 20s and 30s without any hair loss I was golden. I never notice any hair on my shoulders or pillow. In the shower some days I notice 5 hairs other days 20. Thanks for your response

The appearance of crown balding in a person around 50 years old is not common, but it does happen. You could take Propecia (finasteride) and it should stop the hair loss and may return some of the hair that has been recently lost. If you go on this drug, you could have hair transplants and easily fill in the area. I would have to see it and examine you by mapping our your scalp hair for miniaturization to see if the problem is more extensive than you can see with your naked eye.